Definition of illuminate
1 archaic : brightened with light
2 archaic : intellectually or spiritually enlightened
People Are Reading
First Known Use of illuminate
15th century
Definition of illuminate
illuminated
;illuminating
transitive verb
1a : to enlighten spiritually or intellectuallyb (1) : to supply or brighten with light (2) : to make luminous or shiningc archaic : to set alightd : to subject to radiation
2a : to make clear : elucidateb : to bring to the fore : highlight a crisis can illuminate how interdependent we all are
3 : to make illustrious or resplendent
4 : to decorate (something, such as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or miniature pictures
Examples of illuminate in a Sentence
the part of the moon illuminated by the sun
A university study has illuminated the problem.
Recent Examples of illuminate from the Web
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Hours later, Trump and Macron reconvened at the Eiffel Tower for dinner, huddling with their wives at a table next to a wall of windows as the crimson sun fell toward the horizon, illuminating the historic city’s skyline.
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There, Allied prisoners were forced to work at night in grueling conditions, illuminated by the glow of hundreds of burning fires.
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In recent years, there has been an upswell of groundbreaking artistic productions illuminating the creative genius of the black community.
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At the end of each summer, the wishes are removed and buried at the base of Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower in Iceland, a column of light beams that illuminate the sky on a small island off the coast of Reykjavik.
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His gift was to teach without pedantry; to ask that one crucial question that illuminated the way out of the most difficult problem.
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Next door, a class of sixth through ninth graders learned about forensics from retired FBI agent Barry Vecchioni, who demonstrated how fluorescent light can illuminate clues in a crime scene.
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The interior of the container looked like a dance club, or a space station: Strips of dangling LED lights glowed red and blue, illuminating white plastic panels.
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Keep your ears open to hear what people compliment you on because this full moon is going to be illuminating.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'illuminate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of illuminate
Middle English, from Latin illuminatus, past participle of illuminare, from in- + luminare to light up, from lumin-, lumen light — more at luminary
Definition of illuminate
archaic
: one having or claiming unusual enlightenment
First Known Use of illuminate
1600
ILLUMINATE Defined for English Language Learners
illuminate
playDefinition of illuminate for English Language Learners
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: to supply (something) with light : to shine light on (something)
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: to make (something) clear and easier to understand
ILLUMINATE Defined for Kids
illuminate
playDefinition of illuminate for Students
illuminated
;illuminating
1 : to supply with light : light up He clutched Rose as a dazzling blast illuminated the lobby… — Brian Selznick, Wonderstruck
2 : to make clear : explain His speech illuminated the subject.
Learn More about illuminate
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See words that rhyme with illuminate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for illuminate Spanish Central: Translation of illuminate Nglish: Translation of illuminate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of illuminate for Arabic speakers
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